Deformable Spring Plate Mask for HMD Air Permeability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head-mounted display devices have a thick face fitting part that compromises air permeability, leading to discomfort and reduced applicability across different face shapes.

Innovation Solution

A mask with a deformable ring-shaped spring plate and elastic support that adapts to various face shapes, reducing the need for multiple foam layers, thereby minimizing thickness and enhancing air permeability and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple foam layers are used to increase thickness of the face fitting part, then the mask can match faces with different face shapes, but the air permeability of the mask deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different face shapesVSAvoidair permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring plate instead of static foam layers to create a dynamic, deformable face fitting structure. The spring plate can elastically deform to adapt to different face shapes while maintaining thin profile and air permeability, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and breathability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring plate acts as a flexible thin structure that provides face fitting capability without the bulk of multiple foam layers. This thin flexible structure maintains air permeability while achieving adaptability through elastic deformation rather than through thick cushioning layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple foam layers are used to increase thickness of the face fitting part, then the mask can match faces with different face shapes, but the thickness of the mask increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different face shapesVSAvoidthickness of face fitting part
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring plate provides dynamic adaptability through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for thick static foam layers. This allows the mask to accommodate different face shapes while maintaining a thin profile, as the spring plate achieves adaptability through flexibility rather than thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from compressible foam to elastic spring plate, which achieves shape adaptation through elastic deformation rather than compression. This parameter change allows thin design while maintaining adaptability to different face shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple foam layers are used to increase thickness of the face fitting part, then the mask can match faces with different face shapes, but the volume of the mask increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different face shapesVSAvoidvolume of the mask
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring plate provides a compact, thin-volume solution for face fitting adaptability. By using elastic deformation in a thin structure rather than thick foam layers, the overall mask volume is reduced while maintaining the ability to adapt to different face shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring plate as a flexible thin structure achieves face fitting adaptability without requiring large volume. This thin-film approach eliminates the bulk associated with multiple foam layers, reducing mask volume while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Adaptability or versatility

If the face fitting spring plate is designed as ring-shaped with large deformation range, then it can match a larger range of face shapes, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of face shapes matchedVSAvoidstructural complexity of spring plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ring-shaped spring plate is designed with segmented or divided structure that allows independent deformation in different regions. This segmentation enables the plate to adapt to various face shapes through localized deformation while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ring-shaped curved structure of the spring plate provides inherent flexibility and deformation capability. The curved geometry naturally allows adaptation to different face shapes through elastic deformation, achieving high adaptability with a relatively simple continuous curved structure rather than complex segmented components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution improves wearing comfort and convenience by allowing the mask to fit a wider range of face shapes with reduced thickness and volume, while maintaining effective air permeability.

Implementation Method 1

both the face fitting spring plate and the elastic support can be deformed when being in a stressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

both the face fitting spring plate and the elastic support can be deformed when being in a stressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4016168B1Face mask and head-mounted display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4016168B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4016168B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4016168B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relates to the field of wearable device technologies, and provides a mask and a head-mounted display device, to resolve a problem that air permeability of a mask is poor due to a large thickness of a face fitting part of the mask. The mask includes a support, an elastic support, and a face fitting spring plate. Lens holes are disposed in the support, the face fitting spring plate is connected to the support by using the elastic support, a middle part of the face fitting spring plate is sunken to the support, an eyepiece hole facing the lens holes is disposed in the face fitting spring plate, and a nose support is disposed in a middle part on a lower side edge of the face fitting spring plate. The head-mounted display device includes the mask and a display device connected to the mask. In the mask, the face fitting spring plate can be deformed under an external force. In this way, the face fitting spring plate can fit different face shapes, so that a plurality of foam layers do not need to be disposed, to reduce a thickness of a face fitting part of the mask and improve air permeability of the mask.